Almond

The town of Almond was originally part of the town of Canisteo in
Steuben County. When Allegany county was formed in 1806, it then
became a part of Alfred. On
March 16, 1821 the town of Almond was set off from Alfred. Part
of the town was set off for Birdsall
in 1829 and a part for West Almond
in 1833. Almond lies on the east border of the county.

The first settlement was in Karr Valley in 1796. The first
settlers were Andrew Gray, a clergyman, Moses Van Campen,
Henry McHenry and Joseph A. Rathboun, from Luzerne
county, Pennsylvania. The first child born was William McHenry
in 1799. The first marriage was Peter Putnam and Polly
Waters in 1804. The first death was Matthew McHenry in
1801. The first school was taught at Karr Valley by Joseph A.
Rathboun in Dec. 1802. Benjamin Van Campen kept the
first inn at Karr Valley in 1805. Phineas Stevens built the
first sawmill in 1806 at Almond Village. Asa Clark built
the first gristmill in 1818. The first religious meeting was
held at Karr Valley by Rev. Andrew Gray (Presbyterian) in his
own house on May 1, 1797. The first church was formed the same
year by Mr. Gray.

*code #s refer to the Allegany County Cemetery Index card file at the Allegany County Historical Society and LDS Family History Library microfilm. See Western New York Genealogical Society Journal, Vol. II, No. 1